MLPFEMTORPG -- MLPFEMTORPG: the movie

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>>29288708
Sheets.

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>>29288717
http://pastebin.com/6dTx6i08

File: Rus Tea gives Shorty a piggyback ride.jpg (147KB, 1313x1600px) Image search: [Google]

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>>29288717
http://pastebin.com/p1dtY3qj

>>29288717
http://pastebin.com/RaZG8KLM

>>29288717
http://pastebin.com/R0AXr1UU

>>29288717

http://pastebin.com/W6t2hywT

>>29288717
http://pastebin.com/YJFusUgn

>>29288745
[1d10]

>>29288717

[1d10]

>>29288884
[1d10]

Pryce 9/3 (9/5)
Flaming 4/5 (8/7)
Amy 4/6 (7/6)
Flow 11/4 (11/5)
Observer 7/6 (7/6)
Shei 8/7 (8/7)

Today is Ludia, 15th of Dusk Reverie, 784, Kalpa 6217 (Night)
>On the ship is 5 days' worth of food and 2 days' worth of water

Last time on HolyQuest...

The party heard more of the "angels" who plagued Vitral from above in the Birdcage. After Mirror Image and the Vipaka (a Chariot-ranked angel) were shot down, the Marquis-ranked demon unleashed its biochemical attack on Vitral, killing most of the citizens who lived in the eastern half. With Vitral's defenses obliterated, demons swarmed the city-state. In desperate need of reinforcements, Mirror Image began an esoteric ritual using the corpse of the Vipaka. She grabbed the mortals who came to investigate the angels' crash site, and forcibly transformed them into angels. Shei learned that Miracle was the first of these angels. Miracle later negotiated a truce between the angels and demons in Vitral, which also enabled her to rescue many mortals still hiding in the city-state.

Miracle insisted on exterminating the demon population of Vitral, which seemed plausible given her power. One of Vitral's demon lords, Count Pravda, came to distract Miracle with a fight, giving the party time to slip away.

When Flaming suggested freeing Mirror Image from her cage in order to reestablish the truce Miracle disrupted, Vizsla didn't just seem reluctant to help; she flat-out told the party to let everyone just kill each other. After some protests, she reluctantly pointed them to the Sheep Embassy in the southeast corner of the Mind Vimana, but warned them of the "fire" the angels kept there.

---

Pryce rescued Neither-Nor, Sugar and Sir Calque, Sugar's self-declared "betrothed" from the library, but not before Calque performed some strange ritual to draw out Pryce's inner child into a physical form as "insurance."

---
Observer went on a relaxing shopping trip with Box and Old Boney.

>>29288735
"Yeah I'll be able to digest that well with the stomach I don't have," Wireframe complains.
"I'd love some!" Busta says.
"Dice them into small chunks for Volkama," River says. "He can eat, but he'll need help."

>>29288884
>>29288881
>>29288890
You proceed south of southeast as per Vizsla's reluctant instructions. Though you've seen angels flying overhead to the lake where Miracle is, they don't stop you. However, you see some angels perching and lounging on some of the nearby buildings, their bodies more like the interiors of machines associated with so-called "real" angels.

You soon reach a crumbling, caved-in building with architecture in the style of Zha Arlakane's buildings. The front is similar in appearance to a museum, but it's caved in with only a small gap open. Some of the building's windows can be climbed up to, and a few are still intact. All around lie shreds of twisted and burnt metal sticking out of the ground and infrastructure.

>>29288751
"Smiles don't put food in anyone's stomachs," Sugar says miserably. "I just want to go home."

>>29288805
>>29288751
"With everything going as badly as it is, if I didn't relax, I'd be dead!" Basileus cheerfully declares.

Shei pushes his way into the library, where he sees Zjetya, a kid version of Pryce, Spitshine, two mariposan stallions (one old unicorn who vaguely resembles Pryce and one red crystal pony with knight's attire) and a doe in a green dress.

>>29288936
Shei-Sher furrows his brow when he sees the two ponies that resemble Pryce Etac. Kid Pryce and NeitherNor

"What have we here? Did Sir Etac find some long lost relatives of his?" Shei asks Zjetya and then introduces himself to the group "Hello my name is Shei-Sher, it is a pleasure." He dips his head for a modest bow.

>>29288928
>>29288936
Fleeing in the direction of the Sheep Embassy, heart set in stone to free Mirror Image so she could put an end to the violence, she looks up with worry towards the sky where the angels flee. "It's odd to be wishing for this, but I hope things don't get too violent while we're gone..."

Upon reaching the caved-in building, Shorthorns gives a sad look as she walks up to the steps, looking around as she looks at the destruction. "Did this place get hit hard... I guess it makes sense they'd hide her in here. Who would think anything of a wrecked embassy?" She snorts, and jumps towards one of the intact windows, bashing it open with her horns to head inside. "Everyone, follow me!"

[1d10+3] Bashing my way through to the embassy

>>29288936
"B-But..."
Pryce stumbles with his words the Basileus' cheer. With these odd hunters and the news from Shei, Pryce lowers his head and takes a deep breath to ease the few nerves he has.

"Ok, can I ask you all for a favor? I need to find the tower that was just bought up here to save a filly, and I really can do that and keep the rest of my friends safe. I would like you to help escort us, and after she's safe, I can give you that fight you want."

>>29288936
"Good thing we're on our way out of here. You'll get plenty of food in no time."
Kid Pryce says, trying to hold spirits high.

>>29288936
>>29289021
As Shei approaches, Kid Pryce waves over to the goat.
"Hey Shei-Shei! Do you have any food on you? Sugar could use something and quick."

>>29289038
>>29288936

"I'm sure it's going to be bad," Amy says in a combination of sorrow and frustration. "I just hope this actually makes things better."

She waits for Flaming to open up the way.

>>29288936
Flow absent-mindedly follows suit with the others, and pays little attention to the angels as the party strolls to the Sheep Embasy.

Seeing that there are no obvious doors in the building, Flow decides to cut out his own door with the Tsurugi.
[1d10+3]

>>29288936
Observer nods to them before making her way to the kitchen, her attire shifting into an apron and a cook's hat. Time to test some cabbage recipes.

When Observer first enters the kitchen, she decides to take some time to inspect everything again to make sure it works properly. This is the first time she is cooking for others, so it's best to make sure to check on what she has to work with.

>>29289062
"No. I'm afraid not. All I have are these bloater bon-bons meant for consumption with rotten food. And I would like to conserve them. Has she tried eating paper? Not very nutrious but it's filling in a pinch."

Shei-Sher blinks with a thought "By the way you haven't given me your name?" he asks kid Pryce

>>29289021
"Hmm," Neither says. "How's a goat get this far north? You a runaway slave?"

"As long as you aren't with the angels," Calque says. "I trust you have a route out of this Birdcage?"

You see Pryce leaving with three of the hunters and Neither-Nor, leaving behind Basileus. Spitshine remains behind as well.

>>29289062
"Sounds good," the auburn earth pony mare says. "By the way, that's Cartesi and Dianxin." She points at the goat and the griffon respectively. "You've already met Basileus, and I'm Asa."

Asa, Dianxin and Cartesi accompany you, Neither and Zjetya as you run north. "Why do you need to find this tower?" Asa asks. "I'm sure they'll be safe with the angels. Something the matter on the surface?"

"Good question. What tower?" Neither-Nor asks. "Wait... not the workshop? Did the angels actually save them?"

>>29289038
>>29289075
You hop up and clear a path through the rubble, reaching a second-story meeting hall. Most of the floor has undergone some odd mutations, becoming rough, hexagonal shapes. Parts of the walls have become oddly translucent, with everything having a hard edge, nothing rounded or smooth. Rus Tea follows you. There is a doorway to the north and one to the west, and you see a staircase leading up and down beyond the westward doorway.

>>29289085
You cut a path on the west side of the second floor for you and Renee. You reach a craftspony's workshop, littered with debris with most of the useful-looking bits either plundered or broken by now. There are two doors, one to the north and one to the east, but they're blocked by rubble. One of your bounty posters begins to glow.

>>29289089
The kitchen is a modest medieval-level kitchen, with a medium assortment of tools, some portable water from the clouds, and some bits of magitech which are powered by weather orbs, creating a functional oven.

>>29289132
whoopsidoodle

>>29289132
"Oh, well I already gave her one of those. And I don't think normal ponies eat paper."
Kid Pryce tilts his head in confusion at the obvious question.
"But you already know my name."

>>29289133

"Rusty!?" Amy says, jumping slightly when she realizes they have a companion. "Why did you come with us?"

>>29289133
Flow crouches and has a little think to himself as he pulls out the glowing bounty.
"What say you, Renee? You think you can handle a hunt by now?"

He takes out the Inheritance, and brings out Vice, for a third opinion.

>>29289133
Time to see if Observer might have a knack for cooking. She begins preparing the recipe word by word. While thinking of strange questions about mortals as she cooks, Observer sets Ol' Boney nearby.

"Why do mortals hum songs they have heard before?"

>Cooking
[1d10]

>>29289075
"It has too..." Flaming grunts as she climbs through the window. "If it doesn't... all the mortals, demons, and angels in the whole city... no, she WILL fix this. After what happened to Circadia, I WON'T just let another city die."

>>29289133
After clearing through the rubble with a strong leap and head-bash. She looks around at their strange surroundings, the hard/translucent edged walls in particular drawing her eye. "This looks nothing like they have in Zha. I wonder if the angels changed it somehow?"

Spotting the stair-well, she waves a hoof, "This way: Vizsla said she was in the basement, let's follow this down."

>>29289189
>>29289133

"Okey dokey," Amy says, happily following Flaming down.

"Circadia?" Amy asks, cocking her head. "Where was that?"

>>29289213
Flaming sighs, "It was the frozen city full of demons. Where we met Vizsla, remember? The one that got destroyed by an angel coming down." She frowns.

"I... when we went back to Zha, I interrupted a meeting with the King with a lot of royals from other cities. The Princess of Circadia was there and..." she takes a deep breath. "I had to be the one who told her what happened to it. She was heart broken."

>>29289239

"Oh right..." Amy says, remembering things. "I forgot what it was called cause we never really got to see the city. It wasn't really our fault, though. You can't let that get to you."

>>29289258
She sighs, "No but, do you ever wonder if we could have done more? I know we already got all of the JOY addicts out of there, that was good, but..." she shakes her head. "Seeing their princess hear the news? It reminded me of how I felt when I lost my plains. I know plenty of mortals must feel like Vitral is already dead but, if there's even a few who think it can be saved? That'd make me feel good to come through for 'em."

>>29289133
"You'll help? Good, thank you."
Pryce looks over to the rest of the group.
"Neither, Zjetya, Me, come on!" We need to hurry!"
He shouts to the three, running off with the hunter's to the workshop.

>>29289132
>>29289133
>"Oh, guess we're running of somewhere. Looks like we'll catch up later Shei see ya!"
Kid Pryce quickly spits out as he hops up to follow himself.

He stops a moment, leaning in to Spitshine.
>("I'l grab some food from the workshop that you can give to her.")
He whispers before running off.

>>29289133
Pryce is silent as Asa and Neither question the importance. Kid Pryce takes an awkward inhale to break the quiet from his older self.
>"You see—"
"They did, " Pryce cuts his younger self off, head looking t the ground, "But... your daughter. We stopped at the tower for a moments rest, and found a demon in there. We killed it, but were too late to stop an infection."
He explains, guilt rising up in his voice.
"They already shot a storm of arrows at the ground to purge some demons, we can't let them get inside and see her."

>"She's totally fine aside from that though! Maybe just a *tad* of a roughhouser."
Kid Pryce adds as he tries to keep up, gving the father a little hope.

>>29289133
>>29289062
Shei's ears fully erect as if he was suddenly startled "Oh! So this is Sugar. Very good.. Spitshine how could you not introduce me, you should be in elation. He's told me much about you. Good to see you in one piece, if a little emaciated. You must come with us aboard our ship we could keep you well fed there."

>"How's a goat get this far north? You a runaway slave?"
"Sorry I skipped over your question. Technically I'm not much of a run away. Were my Master Crowley to ever call upon me I would certainly come to his aid in a heartbeat. I am though, the shepherd to a large tribe of runaway slaves from Mr'uthgar. They currently reside in Zha Arlakane. It's curious that a native of Huoli would think I was a truant, do goats belong to caste of slave here too?"

Shei-sher finally answers Calque "We will have to negotiate that with the rest of my friends. I don't know who any of you are and it is not my place. Sugar is obviously welcome though. We came looking for here, partly."

>>29289149
Shei-Sher looks perplexed "Sorry have we met?"

>>29289278
Shei is flumoxed as Pryce leaves before even answering him. He's sure to warn "Be sure to boil the soup! It has parasites!"

>>29289274

"Well of course we CAN do more," Amy screws her face up in thought. "If we couldn't, we wouldn't be doing anything," she concludes with a satisfied nod.

>>29289164
"I don't like being alone," Rus admits with a little shame. "Especially not after all that talk of forced angel ascension."

>>29289172
The poster's drawing appears to be nothing but a scribble, but you realize it was intentional. The bounty is listed as an unknown type. Its body appears to be segmented, with each segment being an oversize polygonal block, constructed out of some kind of red and black wire. It's vaguely shell-like, like some kind of beetle, with multiple limbs and an ill-defined head. It's listed as being "4000 total."

"This seems a little impromptu, doesn't it?" Renee asks hesitantly as she tries to squeeze under the doors to have a peek at what's beyond.

>>29289175
"To silence the encroaching realization that they have nothing in their heads!" Ol Boney declares.

To all outward appearance, your food seems fine. Maybe a little overcooked, maybe a little... yellow... but it appears just fine.

River peeks her head into the mess hall with a deep frown as if she just heard a murder.

(1/2)

>>29289313
> >>29289278

>"Oh, guess we're running of somewhere. Looks like we'll catch up later Shei see ya!"
Kid Pryce quickly spits out as he hops up to follow himself.

>>29289189
>>29289213
The strange permutations in the architecture grow gradually more severe as you draw deeper into the embassy. As you get about halfway down the staircase to the first floor, a collection of jumbled red and black lines manifests before you, blocking your path. The lines form two-dimensional shapes, then fold and expand until they form many-sided oversize polygon. They expand to about twice your size, with no definite form, apart from a clump of shell-like shapes with hard edges and no smoothed sides. Sounds of grinding gears and malfunctioning machinery echo from their centers.

>>29289281
Before he leaves, Neither nods. "Vitral didn't discriminate in whom they kept as slaves. Goats are a rarity in these parts, usually you only see sheep in these mountains."

"Then you should rest," Calque says. "She is in safe hooves under my protection."

"Listen, fruitcake, I'm the one who came to protect Sugar, I don't need some pompy fru-fru crystal pony to muscle in."

"Oh please, you'd be a red spot in the ground if it weren't for them. You have no magic, and you have no powers. You're a dead weight!" Calque retorts.

Sugar's ears perk up at the mention of food; she cares for nothing else.

>>29289278
"Sugar's in no condition to get caught in a firefight. Make a signal flare when you want us to move," Zjetya says.

Neither's jaw drops at the explanation. He charges forward ahead of you, despite showing a limp in his back legs.

Soon you come within range of a great lake with a temple on a small island in the center. Many equinoid angels surround the lake, making it impossible to see what's going on there, but you hear a little fighting. The Crystal Workshop rests in an island of cloud, still surrounded by a ring of earth as if it were plucked out of the ground as easily as a plant. A few angels circle around it, protecting those inside.

>>29289337

"Well that's a good reason," Amy responds with a little laugh. She gives Rus a hug. "I like it when you're not alone with me."

>>29289343

Amy stares at the lines like a cat with morbid curiosity. She quickly jabs at one of the lines in one of the shapes with her hoof.

[1d10] for poking

>>29289343
Shei-Sher is amused by Calque and Spitshine's bickering. "hehehe you should fight. That is what any honorable pony in love would do. And there isn't room on the ship for another rescue."

[1d10] egging them on

>>29289435
[fuck sorry I keep doing this]

>>29289330
Flaming freezes in place, thinking out the process. "Oh. Um... hmm. I guess that sounds right." she shakes her head, "B-but you know what I mean. I don't wanna face Laciela or Yareakh and tell them their city is gone too. I can't."

>>29289343
>>29289373
The buffalo stays close to Rus Tea and Amy as they delve deeper into the bizarrely transformed embassy. Once they reach onto the first floor, she stares out at the jumbled red/black shapes that block their path down the stairwell. "What in the world..." her ears twitch down at the sounds of grinding and broken machinery, and then gasps as Amy reaches out to touch it.

"Amy, I REALLY wouldn't do that if I were you..." she warns, looking around for something to throw (small, like a piece of shrapnel from the broken pieces of the 2nd floor) in-between the lines to see what happens.

>>29289343
Pryce slows on seeing Neither's limp, stomach tying up at his actions in the workshop. He picks his pace back up, driven by the drive to make up for this.

He stops at the lake's edge, Kid Pryce running into him from behind. He looks at Dianxin.
"Can you carry Neither over?"
He then shifts to Asa.
"Keep watch over him," Pryce says, pointing at his kid self, "Keep him out of the fighting."
He says sternly, before fanning out his wings and flying towards the Workshop island.


Kid Pryce looks up at Asaafter his older self flies off.
>"So we're going after them, right? I need to make sure Prisca is ok... and also grab some food for Sugar."
He looks at the lake.
>"And I need some help getting across."

>>29289455

"Well then, we'll find her."

>>29289337
She does not notice River right away, nodding in agreement to Ol' Boney as she begins to put the food on plates. "I suppose I should ask about friendship as well, now that I have one. What is friendship? Why do mortals need it?"

When she turns with the plates levitating near her, she finally notices River. "Greetings, River. I prepared some cabbage. The one marked with the tiny flag with the frowning face drawn on is for Volkama. I was curious as to what reaction I would get out of him with an attempt at humor."

>>29289343
>>29289463
>Fixing Kid's part

Kid Pryce looks up at Asa after his older self flies off.
>"So we're going after them, right? I need to make sure Prisca is ok... and also grab some food for Sugar."
He looks up to the workshop's island.
>"...Any ideas?"

>>29289337
Vice hums at Renee's question.
>"I wholeheartedly agree with her, Sir Flow. We'd best not be getting sidetracked from our task."
"Aye, I get it, but what other chance do we have to make an easy 4,000 bits? I saw we go for it."

Vice takes the bounty and studies the crudely drawn image.
>"I don't know Sir Flow, this demons seems very unorthodox. Perhaps we'd best wait for the others before confronting it. Who knows, we might have to fight it anyways."
Flow scoffs.
"Oh stop it, you. I'd rather at least fight this thing once to get a feel for what it can do."
Flow unsheathes the Tsurigi once more to cut through the debris on the eastern corridor.
[1d10+3]

File: Hexagonal attack example.jpg (27KB, 800x400px) Image search: [Google]

27KB, 800x400px

>>29289373
>>29289455
Part of the Hexagonal jabs forward at a triangular angle in a way similar to a character model getting stretched out beyond its normal shape. It stabs clean through Amy's hoof, and blood drains from it, circulating back into the Hexagonal. Another one does the same to Flaming, drawing her blood as well.

>Amy 1/6
>Flaming 2/5

Rus frowns and throws a weapon at the Hexagonals. [1d10+2] [1d3]

>>29289435
Calque and Spitshine step forward to oblige, but Zjetya blows a harsh wind with her wings to separate them. "Shei! They can tear each other apart after we're free of the angels!"

Calque straightens his outfit. "Yes, I suppose I ought to save my strength for the more pressing matters than give into barbarians."

"Heh! I don't see you fighting any angels, 'sir'," Spitshine laughs. "You really are as useless as me!"

>>29289475
"Lord Buiwong has seen many worlds. In one, lore claims that friendship is a form of magic. Personally, I've yet to see evidence."

"I... see..." River cringes. She approaches hesitantly and takes a bit from her plate. She immediately gags upon tasting it, and spends a few minutes coughing.

>>29289463
Dianxin accompanies you to the tower. So far the angels haven't seen you. Most of the windows have been busted open by the mortals inside, but they don't acknowledge you as they watch the angels.

Asa frowns. "I don't think so, kid. I don't know what your other half is doing, but he's liable to piss off the angels, and I'll have no part in that," she gestures at her angelic arm.

>>29289526
As you cut through the eastern door, you enter another hallway. To the south, there's a narrow staircase. To the north, you see Rus, Flaming and Amy being attacked by some red and black creatures which look like primitive versions of the ones on your poster.

>>29289540

Amy yelps in pain, then puts her hoof to her mouth. "Alright, geez. I'm sorry," she says as she pulls out a potion.

[1d10+3] for natural remedy on self

>>29289568

Merryflower Root save: [1d3]

>>29289540
"If friendship were a kind of magic then I theorize it would not be very strong. Or utilized."

Upon seeing River's reaction, Observer raises her eyebrow and sniffs the food a bit. She levitates a piece before tasting it. "Hm... Voidlings and ponies do not share similar tastes even with shapeshifting, interesting. We still do not want to waste this food however." She says, taking Ol' Boney with her to deliver the food, leaving River with her plate of oddly prepared cabbage.

"Ol' Boney, could you leave a message for the lord? I was wondering if she may know what lies in the center of Tartarus. My companions may only be traveling to a lake within it, however I'm curious as to what lies beyond it.

>>29289540
"heheheh sorry Zjetya I couldn't resist" Shei-Sher seems oddly leisurely about their situation.

Shei-Sher steps forward to Calque and Spitshine. "If you two would like to earn your keep and at the same time prove your mettle. I did come here to find an angel alone to interrogate." He steps past them and starts wandering deeper into the library. His staff methodically tapping to ground as he walks with it. "You're welcome to join me. If not, you can wait here like abandoned babes."

>>29289540
>>29289568
Flaming cries out in pain as the shapes suddenly stretch out and cut through her hoof like a hot knife through butter, feeling her blood draining away by it does her no more good as she immediately backtracks up the stairs, "OW! N-no, it's fine, ah... that hurt though." She leers at the mishapen, reality-warped knife that just drained her of her life essence, and growls angrily. "Curse this stupid thing, we can't get through without being carved up."

She looks back up the stairs, "No other way down though, this was the only stairway..." she murmurs, "There has to be some way around it." She grunts, her horns glowing white, "Well, if it takes blood... maybe I can take some energy back from it." She focuses her glowing horns on the lines
>Mantra of Recovery: Recharge 2 after effect ends; Instant; Cannot be used at full Hits; On use, select an enemy. Every turn, you drain two Hits from that target. This effect ends when you go helpless, or after 3 turns pass, whichever comes first.
[1d10]
>Prayer for Salvation: Automatic; Recharge 2; The target's next recovery from Helplessness will be an Automatic Instant action, and the target will get +1 to all future attempts to get up until the end of combat.
>Using this one on myself

>>29289540
Pryce looks over the windows, trying to take note if any of the ponies inside are injured. With all the free openings, Pryce flies in through one, looking around.
"Prisca, where is she? Is she safe?"
He asks the inhabitants.


Kid Pryce sits at the comment.
>"That's not good, we haven't had good run ins with the angels before. I don't think he'll hold it together if they start doing anything."
He looks up at her arm at the gesture.
>"How come you have one of them for an arm then?"

>>29289540
"Ah piss, they ain't the one."
>"W-we still have to help them, Sir Flow!"
Both of the good charge into action against the odd creatures. Vice goes the safe route, and takes the stairs, while Flow leaps off of the balcony, aiming to slam his sword down on one of the Hexagonals.
>Suppress
[1d10+4]
Vice, meanwhile, takes a potshot at one with the Bow.
[1d10]

>>29289568
This one's got an unfortunately familiar taste, and the wound left by your attacker bleeds badly.
>Amy 1/5

>>29289642
Your injuries hemorrhage from the wound which won't close easily. You feel woozy.
>Bleeding; Lose 1 Hit per turn until cured
>Flaming 1/5

>>29289642
>>29289579
>>29289738
Rus hits one Hexagonal with a thrown mace, but it retaliates with the same attack it used on Amy, draining her blood. The three that drained your blood grow in size and their forms become more complex and segmented. They float by you up the stairs, as if they forgot about you. The other ones keep a watch on you, but don't make any moves.

"Some kind of docile parasite? Hmph. Describes these angels well. Maybe if we..." Rus begins.

Flow dives from the balcony and crushes one of the Hexagonals that drained Amy's blood, while the other two float off. The other Hexagonals crowd around him, with angular surfaces like eyes spreading across their bodies. Flow obtains 20 Bits, but the bounty poster remains whole.

Renee and vice approach behind him down the stairs. "Hello again!" Renee says nervously.

>>29289623
"I shall," Ol Boney says.

At your approach, Onion strums his guitar and hums a riff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4rwPoRITlI

As they dig in, those on the ship have varying reactions. Wireframe and Onion manage to tolerate it without vomiting, Blessings and Volkama complain that it's not as flavorful as they like, and Box and Busta finish their plates with satisfied burps in mere seconds.

(1/2)

>>29289702
You reach the third floor, where most of the survivors hide. "Who?" one of them asks in response.
"The demon filly!" one of them exclaims.
"Oh, whatever, she can take care of herself. We're saved! We don't need her anymore!"

As the survivors crowd around the windows, some of the angels perch atop the Workshop, peering down at you like curious owls.

"I traded my old arm so I could be stronger!" Asa declares proudly.

>>29289634
"A proper test of strength!" Calque declares, brushing aside Spitshine as he follows you. Spitshine's hoof remains on his dagger as he follows you.

As you pick through the shattered library, you reach a set of stairs. At the base of the stairs, you see two equinoid angels flipping through books in a pile.

>>29289790
>>29289738

Amy looks from Renee to Flow to Vice then to the Hexagon thing. Then, she frowns and shakes her head.

"You're doing it again, Flow?" Amy says to him in a tone that sounds somewhere between disappointed and heartbroken.

>>29289790
>>29289738
Flaming's white horns begin to fade as she sees her vision blur before her eyes for a moment, her legs wobbling back and forth as she tries to steady herself. "Oooh.... t-took more out of me than I thought." She tries to shake her head free and refocus as it cuts into Rus Tea as well. "Oh no! W-we should stop attacking that thing, there's got to be another way around them."

She moves over to help Rus Tea, but she ducks down and gasps as Flow dives from above and crushes one of the Hexagonals in a single blow, shaking her head with disbelief. "A... that... um... I guess that works. Well done, Sir Flow," she compliments, trying to stand. "Certainly my way of doing it." She looks at the other Hexagonals that crowd around him, growling as she stays on guard should they attack.

"Thanks for the rescue, but we should keep moving downwards. We have to get to the basement, quickly! Renee, please, can you look at my leg?"
>After Renee makes an attempt to stop the bleeding, Leading the charge down the stairs unless the other hexagonal move to stop her.

>>29289798
Pryce stops in place at how quickly they've dismissed Prisca.
"Take care of herself? She's a child! How could you toss her aside, regardless of what's happened to her?!"
Pryce stops himself before he yells too much, keeping focused on the filly. He runs past the ponies, going up the stairs towards Prisca's room and entering.
"Prisca? Pisca, are you alright?!"


Kid Pryce looks up wide-eyed as she boasts over her arm.
>"Ooo, can it do any tricks?"
He asks with excitement.

>>29289798
Shei-Sher hides behind a bookcase and waves his hoof for Spitshine and Calque to follow suit. He dangles Pupil out of the hiding spot to gauge the angel's strength.

[1d10+1] Appraise

>>29289790
Flow puts Schlangenschwert back in its scabbard, and checks the bounty. He puts his bits where the others are, and hums to himself.
"Well, this just got a lot more interesting."
>"Why's that?"
"Looks like the bounty is made up of a whole bunch of these lil' buggers."

Flow raises his hoof to grab his sword, but Vice stops him.
"Wait just one moment, Sir Flow. They don't seem like they're going to attack."

>>29289821
"What?"
Flow looks genuinely confused."

>>29289850
"Downstairs? What's in the basement?"
>"I'd advise great caution, Miss Shorthorns. These creatures seem to all seem to be but little pieces of a far larger creature."

>>29289890

"Killing demons who haven't done anything. And I have to notice that every time you do that, you're split up."

>>29289906
"Done nothing? Isn't Flaming over there bleeding cause of this thing?"

>>29289933

"Well, she's bleeding because I poked it," Amy says, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.

>>29289790
"Now if you're all pleased with your meals, I will be studying in my lab. Please do not disturb me unless it is necessary." She says, before returning to the Lab in the ship.

Once she arrives there, her first course of action is to begin her research on the Soul Engineering Documents she got from the Crystal Workshop.

>Engineering: Studying documents
[1d10+2]

>>29289890
Flaming turns to look at Flow, "You saw what's happening out there? Miracles' angels about to go to war with the demons? They'll tear Vitral apart and all the mortals in it! The only way I can think to stop is to save the angel that Miracles displaced, and Vizsla says she's kept down in these basements."

>>29289906
Flaming frowns, "They did attack us first, Amy... we don't even know if these are intelligent, they certainly aren't saying anything."

>>29289821
>>29289850
>>29289890
"As am I now," Renee says possessively to Amy as she quickly binds your injuries.
>Amy 7/6
>Flaming 8/6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70x9LgY6Ltg

As you proceed downward, it gets darker and darker. However, glowing metal insects the size of cats dot the walls. They resemble metal butterflies with firefly bulbs on their backs. They light your way downstairs. The large staircase leads down through the darkness until you reach a long hallway with many smaller doors on their side, apparently connecting to other rooms.

On both sides of the main path, you see countless more of the red-and-black Hexagonals. Below them, hundreds, if not thousands of bodies lay across the floor. They are organized in neat, orderly rows, but all of them are unmistakably dead, with no signs of violence on their bodies. Their armies are laid across their stomachs in apparent funerary rites. Most of the corpses are having their blood drained by the Hexagonals, leaving them thin and deflated. Over in the corners, you also see piles of body parts. They appear to have been separated with surgical precision rather than the heat of battle.

The far end of the hall is crusted over with a black and red facade of metal, resembling a coccoon. Parts of it glow and writhe.

Patrolling the hall are ten foot tall versions of the Hexagonals, vaguely humanoid in shape. Their heads are brilliantly glowing minotaur skulls, with white smoke trailing from their mouths and the lines of their chest and muscles. Their arms bubble with red and black energy similar to how the Hexagonals attacked. Additionally, they are surrounded by a small cloud of metal butterflies.

(1/2)

>>29289951

"Not true," Amy says, shaking her head stubbornly. "I poked it. Obviously, that hurt it, so it defended itself."

>>29289945
Most of the document's first pages are rather esoteric and poorly-written, but you learn more about how the Soul leaves the body three days after death unless preventative measures are taken.

>>29289869
You can't quite get a good reading on them, but they look more like Miracle - more primitive, clunky and polygonal - than the others.

>>29289857
Some of the survivors start reaching out to the angel, who plucks them out of the tower gently. Upstairs, you see Prisca sound asleep in her bed. She's still in her demonic form - a filly-sized suit of armor with crafter's tools sticking out of pores on her back - but she seems at peace. As you approach, her visor slides open.

Neither-Nor shoves you and Dianxin aside and squeezes Prisca tightly, immediately recognizing her. Prisca clings to him quietly.

"I figure it must," Asa says, "But I only just got it recently, so I haven't seen it yet."

A smaller angel approaches Kid Pryce, and raises its hoof in the "Abhaya" gesture, one of the ways that members of the Accorsian church greeted one another.

>>29289962
>their armies
their arms*

>>29289970
Observer continues her research, preparing to write down notes for possible future projects.

>Engineering: Continue research
[1d10+2]

>>29289962
>>29289951
>>29289933

Amy looks down at all the corpses. "Okay... I admit, that looks kinda bad. BUT," she says loudly, holding up a hoof. "Look at them. They look like they were already dead before the line thingies sucked their blood. It's being nice."

"M-maybe..." she adds with a stutter.

>>29289970
Shei grimaces at his Pupil "Why do you disappoint me my Pupil."

Shei-Sher ambles out of his hiding place and engages the two angels. "Excuse me gentlecolts. I have some questions I hope you may answer. You were made into angels by Mirror Image yes. Could you explain to me in detail your experience?"

>>29289970
Pryce looks about as the survivors get plucked off. His mind flashes back to the night of the Rapture, when he saw all those ponies abducted. He shakes his head clear, keeping up until he reaches Prisca's room. He stops, seeing her warped so far from the filly he first met. He steps back after Neither shoves past him, staying silent to let them have their moment.

"Thank heavens she's alright."
He says after a few moments, sighing in relief.
"Thank you. Even though this went well it was better with some help around."
He says to Dianxin.


>>29289970
>"Try it out! It might have a cool spell in it, or some cool lights."
He says as if its urgent.
>"You need to know everything you have up your sleeve so you can help as best you can. Though your case is a bit more literal than most."
He says with a chuckle.

Pryce turns from his joke as the small angel approaches him. He holds up his hoof in return greeting with a smile.
>"Hey there. Can you understand me? There was some earlier that didn't speak well. Do you know if there's some normal pony food around?"

>>29289951
"But, wouldn't that just mean that the angels would have an advantage over the demons or something?"

>>29289944
>>29290006
"See? Let's not go pointing hooves outta the blue, yes?" Flow asks with a hint of irritation.

Flow and Vice both stare at the countless bodies that line the floor, Flow looking disgusted, and Vice looking intrigued.
>"My oh my. Just what are they doing down there? Seems like they're harvesting the blood of mortals, but for what purpose?..."

As the party delves deeper into the hall, Flow unsheathes Schlangenschwert, and keeps it by his side.
"This place gives me the creeps...and those things sure as hell ain't helping me calm down."

>>29289969
"That doesn't prove it's smart. Some plants actually react to being touched too but they're still just dumb plants."

>>29290006
Flaming growls, "Then they're desecrating the dead. And that's almost as bad as if they were the ones who killed them. I don't know how Mariposans honor their dead but I imagine they deserved better than this."

>>29289962
As Renee binds her injuries, she sighs softly in response, giving the bandaged legs a little stretch. "Ooooh, that's much better."

As they tread down the dark stair-well, Flaming winces at the growing darkness and skitters from the walls when she sees the massive metal insects. Noticing their resemblance to butterflies, she muses, "More of these things... what is with angels and butterflies?" She asks aloud as she follows their guiding light down the hallway. However, she freezes when she sees the countless series of bodies lining the hall.

"Oh... oh, spirits, no..." Flaming gasps as she feels a well of sickness growing within her, and huddles away from the walls as she closes her eyes and forces down the bile in her throat. The stench of the blood and metal permeates her nostrils, she forces herself onwards towards the cocoon at the back. "Th-this is disgusting... i-is this really all that's left of their army? Let's just keep moving," she says a she tries to force her way to the cocoon in the back, waiting for the Hexagonals to attack first before she starts anything.

[1d10] Perception roll to look around me
[1d10] Knowledge check on the limbs cut off in the corner

>>29289999
>checked
You learn that a vessel made of sacred stone encased with silver is one of the most efficient means of capturing a soul, contrary to popular belief in that crystals are somehow the most potent. The document notes that rituals used for binding the soul are often confiscated and burned whenever they are discovered, and so must be memorized and passed orally.

>>29290006
>>29290060
>>29290055
One of the taller Hexagonals (we'll call these the Renders) turns and approaches you stiffly, with a hand outstretched. Panels unfold from its back, but you can't see what's inside. As it draws closer to you, you can feel the Hexagonals all fixate on you, their "heads" (if they can be called such) following you perfectly with their full attention.

>>29290060
You smell faint funerary herbs in the air. There's something... really familiar about the limbs.

>>29290040
The two angels raise their right hooves in an open-palm gesture. You recognize this as "Abhaya," a method of greeting used by higher members of the Accorsian church.

The two angles prattle on in a mechanical gibberish, but you cannot understand any of it. They act out some scenes, but you can't make much of it.

>>29290050
Asa gives her arm a few shakes, but when it does nothing, she frowns in disappointment.

As the angel approaches, it makes some metal chattering, apparently growing annoyed. You can't understand what it's saying.

Neither looks around the workshop and curses. "I see you've used up all my good tech. You've got to be more efficient, girl... Hoy! Colt," he says to you. "Magic us up something that'll help us slip by the angels, yeah?"

Dianxin backs off a little. "Hey... if this is going to get me into trouble with the angels, I don't want any of it. What are you planning to do here?"

>>29290055

"That's what I'm telling YOU to do," Amy responds in frustration.

>>29290060

"Personally, I'd like to know that my body helped someone," Amy muses.

>>29290093

"Howdy," Amy waves to the one approaching them. "Sorry about the violence earlier. We're looking for an angel. Can you help us?"

[1d10] to get information

>>29290093
Flow doesn't return any gesture, and holds his sword at his side, narrowing his eyes at the Render.
Vice on the other hand, waves a hoof at it.
>"Greetings, fellow! M-might I ask, do you speak Equish?"

>>29290118
"But I didn't do it this time, I attacked, cause I saw you lot getting attacked!" he responds, equally frustrated.

>>29290093
She begins to look through what sort of designs these documents may have, possibly concerning how to fix one of these captured souls into machinery or how it may be used.

>Engineering: Continue research to create blueprints
[1d10+2]

>>29290093
As she moves down the hall, trying to keep her stomach in among all the death around her, she stops as one of the Hexagonal, roughly minotaur shaped figures that move their hand in front of her on her way down the hall.

"We are looking for Mirror Image. Where is she? Please, this is too important." She appeals to the bizarre creatures.

>>29290093
At a second glance at the limbs, she peers closer, daring to approach some of the lined up bodies in the hall to try and get a closer look, curious what strikes her as familiar about them...
[1d10]

>>29290118
"So would most buffalo: we prefer cremation but many would take having our physical remains eaten than being left to rot...." she coughs, "Um. Provided they hunt down the monster that ate them and burned it instead. B-but that's besides the point."

She points at the bodies, "What are they using these bodies for?"

>>29290055
"No, if anything the angels will be the ones who are wiped out: the demons out number them by way too much. And if we think life's bad enough for mortals down there, I don't want to see what JUST demons around can do with no angels to keep them in check. Besides, even if one side does win, I doubt many mortals will survive the ensuing battle."

>>29290093
"Magic up something? Er..."
Pryce thinks a moment, trying to recall anything that could help cloak them.
("If Zjetya came with us she could have helped me with that song...")
He mutters in his thoughts. But it gives him one idea at least. Holding out his bracelet, he tries oto conjure up Zjetya's Ecclesian Coat, in hopes that given the nature of the order the angels would overlook somepony in one.
>Hat Magic [1d10]
"Try this, cover her up in it."

"We're just getting an innocent filly out of here. Nothing that would cause any trouble aside from their views on this world."
Pryce says with a little bitterness, not looking up to Dianxin.

>>29290093
Kid Pryce ponders at the annoyed chatter. He waves his hooves around this time, trying to add charades to his words.
>"Can. You. Understand? Friends. Need. Food."
He says slowly with his gestures.
>"Hmm, maybe I should have listened more to my brother on body language."

Looking back to the lack of result on the angel arm, he walks over and grabs up at it. He tries messing around, seeing if there's any buttons or activators.
>"Maybe there's a translator in here..."
He says in deep thought.
>Messing with Asa angel arm [1d10]

>"Oh, wait, do you speak angel?"
He asks her, still trying ot get the arm to do something.

>>29290093
Shei appears a tad weirded out by the bizzareness in how these angels try to communicate, but he appreciates the effort.
He looks back at Calque and Spitshine "Charming.. isn't it?

Shei-Sher decides to pull out Pupil again to aid in communication
>[1d10+1] Appraise

He sometimes mimic's their gestures as they act out some scenes trying to understand better.
[1d10+1] Roll for knowledge?

>>29290141

Amy looks at Flow suspiciously. "I saw you looking at a Bounty Poster, though..."

>>29290154

"It looks like they're doing their own form of eating," Amy says, looking at the bodies.

>>29290118
>>29290141
>>29290154
The Render halts, then slowly draws its hand to its lips and shushes you softly.

"Shhhh..." From its back spreads an array of segmented, polygonal arms, each carrying burning scimitars and various religious icons in its hands like some kind of vengeful god. "The Womb is sleeping. I will dissect anything that steps upon the Birth of Thorns. Stay awhile and rot in peace away from here, you who smell of demons."

The black and red metal facade at the far end twitches.

>>29290154
You recognize some of the body parts... they look like they belonged to the hunters you saw. Beneath them, there's another limb that looks like it could have come off of Evil's Judgment.

>>29290183
The angels seem to be talking about insects a lot, a cocoon, and something being drained out of them... or perhaps they drained something out of another person. One points toward the east, and traces the outline of a building with his hooves.

>>29290180
You steal Zjetya's coat and throw it over Prisca. Neither nods and picks her up, and returns to the window. With the angels gone for the time being, he hops out the window toward the clouds below.

Apart from its joints, there don't seem to be any things Kid Pryce could mess with. The angel talking with him picks him up and starts to carry him southeast, where he sees the other angels taking the survivors. Adult Pryce sees this.

>>29290153
You drum up a design for a primitive jar-like vessel that could hold one soul.
>Requires 5 pieces of silver and 1 sacred stone

>>29290223
Kid Pryce squirms in the angels grasp.
>"Whoa, hey! I was just asking where it is, I don't need a ride to it."
He whines, trying to get free.
>[1d10]
>"A little help here?"
He asks Asa.

>>29290223
Pryce follows Neither out, flying out the window behind him.
"See? No issue."
He says back to Dianxin. Though that confidence is wiped as he sees his child self being foalnapped. He feels his spirit sink, Calque's words echoing in his head. Pryce dashes off without a word towards his kid-self, horn glowing as he tries to pull him away.
>Telekinesis [1d10]

>>29290187
Flaming cringes, "Then they should do something with the rest of it besides the blood. Just leaving the bodies out like this... feels wrong, doesn't it?"

>>29290223
As the Render shushes to her, she looks beyond its back to see the various religious weaponry stored within it. She growls, "We HAVE to get through. If you think demons are bad now?" She points upwards, "Any second now, a full blown war is going to break out between you angels and the demons, and you KNOW they outnumber you! Only Mirror Image can stop this, so let us pass!"
[1d10] An attempt to reason

As she looks at the various body parts, she realizes at last where she saw them before: symmetrical versions on the bodies of the warriors she saw just outside the library. And EJ's as well. "Those limbs there: did Mariposans give those do you willingly? Or did you take them?"

>>29290187
>>29290141
"If they don't let us through, then we'll have to fight. Amy, Flow, are you ready?"

>>29290223
Shei-Sher nods and watches along not completely sure he's getting it. "So there.. is a building that way" Shei points "Where they conduct the transformations?"

"And what is that with the.. the.." He mimics the gesture for Draining and then slices his wrist a little to show some blood "Is it this?" He points to himself and gestures with his other hoof, waving at his wrist like all the blood is spilling.

"Or is it.." He unhoists his angel metal shield from his back and lightly bites it "this?" hoping they'll get the meaning.

>just remembered my talent doesn't apply to social rolls
[1d10]

>>29290154
"Ah piss...so what, once we do this, we get the heck outta dodge? Cause I certainly ain't gonna wanna stay in this place if there's gonna be a war happenin'."

>>29290187
"So what if I was? It's my job."

>>29290223
>>29290271
Flow puts Schlangenschwert in its scabbard, and sets up the Spinsaw.
"Aye lass."

>>29290271

"Why not?" Amy asks with a shrug. "They're just bodies."

Her lack of understanding of her sister's culture is astounding.

"Yeah... we'll probably have to fight," Amy says sadly.

>>29290223

"Oooooh," she whispers loudly in excitement at the twitching metal. "Is that the angel?"

>>29290279

"If your job is to kill people who don't deserve it-" Amy begins to say. "No. I'm not talking to you while you're like that," Amy says, gesturing between Vice and Flow.

>>29290223
Just to be safe she glances over the documents once more for anymore, continuing research on other projects. Such as the angel armor golem augmentation ideas she has had. Studying the bit of metal she still has from the angel armor, she uses this as a base.

>Engineering: Design golem upgrades with angel armor.
[1d10+2]

>>29290291
Flow scoffs, and turns away.
Vice, concerned, turns to Amy.
>"I-I am deeply sorry, Miss Amy, for the erm...trouble, that Sir Flow is giving you."

>>29290279
Flaming shakes her head, "No, hopefully. The angel we're coming down there to find, Mirror Image? She put the truce up in the first place. If anyone can stop Miracle from refueling the fires of war, it's her. I hope..."

>>29290291
"Just..." Flaming repeats the words silently as though she couldn't comprehend them. "They're not 'just' bodies, Amy." She looks at one of them sadly. "I... it's hard to explain, my shaman always put this way better than I did. But these forms we leave behind after the spirit leaves them... they're still extensions of ourselves. Parts of us that served us faithfully all our lives until it came time to move on. Just leaving them out like this is... is like leaving something that should be important to you out in the field like trash."

She shakes her head, "I don't know, maybe that's what Mariposans do. Ponies still confuse the heck outta me. If these were all buffalo, I would probably leave right now and not come back till I had enough oil and fire to fill the whole place."

>>29290304

"I'm sorry..." Amy says, a sudden wave of guilt coming over her. "I didn't mean to make it sound like I don't like you, Vice. It's just that... I think Flow leaves the thinking to you when you exist. And, that's not good for him or anyone else."

>>29290321

"So... Buffalo like to be on fire?" Amy asks, cocking her head. "How come I've never seen you light yourself on fire? Well... other than your horns. Is it..." Amy looks around as if she is about to say something controversial. "Is it something buffalo only do in private?" she whispers.

>>29290259
Asa seems confused. "Hey, you're a lot safer in his hooves than in mine!" she says, unconcerned. As you fly after the angel and retrieve your child self, the angel stares at you, then flutters back to the tower, apparently unconcerned.

As you, Dianxin and Neither make it back to land, a large explosion rocks the island in the lake, scattering angels and demonic vermin all over the place. A towering pillar of white static surrounds the entire island.

"Time to go!" Neither shouts, "But I don't have any of my inventions with me. What else you got in there?"

>>29290277
The angels touch their chests and heads, perhaps suggesting the mind, or the soul, or something in between.

>>29290271
>>29290291
>>29290279
"The Mother won't be happy if you make us kill you here. If you insist on bothering her, I ask that you have the decency to make us shred you outside where you will not disturb her art," the Render says, gesturing at the Hexagonals.

>>29290291
"Yes, that is her Womb."

>>29290271
"Are you surprised that the damned wish to become angels?" the Render asks.

>>29290302
You imagine potential upgrades - either armor which would bolster its resistances to various elements, or weapons which could harness some of the strange techniques and powers of the angels. Either angel metal or angel cores can be used for these, you imagine.

>>29290338
>>29290321

"I don't know..." Amy says quietly to Flaming. "Maybe we should wait for her to hatch. It might not be good for her to do it ahead of time."

>>29290338
Shei-Sher is slack-jawed incredulous at what they're suggesting. The thought gives him the heebie jeebies. He decides he needs to see this operation in person "Thank you, thank you very much" he bows and then points east "And It's over there? Could you take me? Please?"

>>29290338
Observer begins to write down the blueprints to store them away for later, now making a blueprint to plan out for the future use of installing a place to rest the soul jar. As she writes this down, her eyes wander over to the thread she got before leaving Mudi's world. Maybe tonight should be the night she learns to sew as well?

>Engineering: Final blueprint for now.
[1d10+2]

>>29290333
"What." Flaming flat out states, shaking her head, "N-no. I mean, some buffalo do that but it's mostly for ceremonies. I always thought it looked really cool though but, no, uh-uh. Mmm-mmm." She shakes her head. "Buffalo don't lighting ourselves on fire until we're gone. It's so that, after our spirits are done using the body, our ashes spread out to give new life. We can't do that until our spirits are done using the body."

She turns her head, "Why would you think it's something we only do in private?" She asks, almost as low a whisper.

>>29290338
"Sometimes I am, yeah..." Flaming flatly states in response to his question. "I guess that explains that then."

As they remain adamant, "Fine then... I guess we'll do this the Climbing Fire way then." With a light sigh, Flaming closes her eyes and focuses on the power of the gods inside her, willing a halo of blue fire to encircle her horns. "I'm going to see her whether you want me to or not!

>Offering on the Mountain: Automatic; Recharge 2 after effect ends; A cursed blue fire encircles your head, drawing the ire of enemies, leaving them more likely to target you over allies who have not attacked yet. Allies who score critical successes attract more ire. This effect lasts 3 turns.

She drives forward towards the cocoon at the far end, using her power to draw their focus. "Cover me! I'm going for her!"

>>29290361
"No time! Miracles and that count demon are already fighting, and who knows how long this will take? These things are probably Miracles' guards for Mirror, so who cares what they say!"

>>29290387

"Because I never saw you do it before," Amy says with a shrug. "But, if you're not doing it while you're alive, I don't see why you would want it done when you're dead. If it's still a part of you, why would it matter when your body gets spread out?"

>>29290387

"We could really do more harm than good..." Amy muses. "But, this is your plan. I'll follow your lead."

>>29290338

>Prayer of Enlightenment to learn Homing Missiles

After finishing the blueprints, Observer decides to move all of her focus on preparing to make her pet Caw a little sweater fit for him. Using her memorization of Caw's analysis, she levitates the needle after preparing the thread.

>Knit Caw a sweater
[1d10]

>>29290321
"That's a lot of trust you're putting into an angel, Shorty..."
>"However, it does make some amount of sense, given how few options we have if we want to avoid a war."

>>29290333
Vice sighs.
>"Well, I do represent his knowledge and wisdom. I'm kinda supposed to be thinking for him. But how often do you see him take my advice?" Vice grins. "I think I might use my knowledge more than he does!"

>>29290338
Flow holds tighter onto the Spinsaw's crank.

>>29290427

"Well obviously," Amy laughs. "If you're his knowledge and wisdom, then he doesn't have any left. Then, he doesn't have the smarts to listen to what you say. I don't mean to sound manipulative, but I think if you want him to listen, you should be in his head."

>>29290338
>"You sure about that? I don't quite feel safe just being picked up by random metal things. No offense."
He says to the angel.

Pryce glares back at the angel as it stares at him, landing down to the ground.
"What did you think you were doing?!"
>"I was just asking it for food for Sugar, then it carried me off."
"Why would you talk to it to begin with!"
>"It said hi, and they know this place better than us,"
Pryce stares down at his younger self, dropping him to the clouds.
"Whatever, let's get moving."

Pryce tenses up before he can take a step, looking back to the explosion.
>"Yea... let's get out of here."

"Let's just get to the others. Come on, run!"
Pryce retorts to Neither, leading the way back to the others.
>"We just pull things out from wherever. We only have whatever is lying around somewhere."
Kid Pryce adds after.

>>29290413
"We don't do it when we're alive because that would kill us..." Flaming sounds out slowly as though speaking to an infant, "And we like burning our bodies when we've left them because of the Sleeping Dragon."

>>29290413
>"We could really do more harm than good..."
"I know..." Flaming cries out as she goes forward, "But I doubt Miracle was gonna let us take Mirror out of her without a fight in the first place. Might as well get it out of the way!"

>>29290455

"But..." Amy rubs her head, unable to understand all these rules. "What's the Sleeping Dragon!?'

>>29290378
The angels seem excited at the prospect, so they start to lead you back up the stairs.

Spitshine and Calque look at each other, a bit lost. "Uh... what did you need us to do again?" Spitshine asks.
"Is this a test of our memorization skills? I can recall everything that was said!"

>>29290413
>>29290387
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HxsgFts9Q8

A smile sparking with smoke and flame cracks across the Render's skeletal face. "GOOD!"

The air trembles with a sharp cacophony of clacking and mechanical creaking, and even the ground and walls shake and rasp, as if coming alive with the dissonance of thousands of insects.

Three of the Renders sprint at Flaming with an alarming speed, slashing with their many arms.
[1d10+3] [1d10+3] [1d10+3]

Renee turns into mist and tries to surround one Render. [1d10+2]

Three of the Hexagonals start to spread a red and black mist through the area. [1d10+3]

Rus throws a weapon at the Render that Renee's targeting. [1d10+2] [1d3]

>>29290426
As you start to knit Caw a sweater, Wireframe and Blessings take notice, and provide some help with making it fit. Wireframe puts the excess material into a little nightcap for him.

Caw chirps snugly once it's on.

>>29290450
As the four of you run back to the library, a trio of equinoid angels get in your way, floating just overhead as they hold out their hooves invitingly toward Prisca and Neither. Neither hobbles along although his leg has begun to bleed, head down as he trudges past the angels. Dianxin and Asa grow nervous and exchange a glance.

>>29290378
>>29290482
>>29290482
>"Is this a test of our memorization skills? I can recall everything that was said!"
This was said by Calque

>>29290482

"Um..." Amy mutters as everything goes crazy.

"I'm sorry!" she shouts as her holy flames wash over all the hexagonals and the render.

[1d10+3] for Wrath

>>29290441
Vice chuckles.
>"Well, he does certainly call on his prior knowledge much more when he's all together. I think he knows that, as well."

>>29290482
"Oh hey, something interesting."

Flow lunges at a Render, and goes for two swipes with the Spinsaw.
[1d10+3]
[1d10+3]

Vice sighs, and nocks an arrow, aiming for the same Render Flow is fighting.
[1d10]

>>29290482
Flaming dashes quickly down the hall, relying on her holy magic and natural buffalo sturdiness to carry her all the way down to the end of the hall as she takes on the brunt of their blazing blows. She makes for the cocoon still at the end of the hall, touching it if she can (but not bashing it open)

>>29290492
>>29290427
Meanwhile, her horns glow white, "These angels are pretty tough! Don't let that scare you though, show them what mortals get a say in what happens to them too!"

>Commandment of Harmony: Once per combat; Automatic; For 3 turns, you and all allies may ignore all Recharge periods, and the DC for all rolls is reduced by 2.

>>29290501
[1d2]
[1d2]

>>29290482
>>29290488
"Just keep your wits about you. We don't know when the peace may be broken." Shei-Sher thinks for a moment whether Zjetya and Sugar will be fine in the library. He doesn't want to risk going alone. He thinks if he's quick they'll surely be fine in the library.

Shei-Sher follows the Angels up the staircases.

>>29290482
Pryce slows as the angels intercept their path. Kid Pryce steps up to give the Abhaya greeting.
>"We're just passing by, taking a walk."
He says casually.

Pryce says nothing, horn glowing white as he helps to ease Neither's wounds before continuing to walk.
>Prayer for Deliverance [1d10+1]

>>29290501
Flow also brings out Trapper for the ride.

>Inheritance of the Brother: Relic; Automatic Instant; Recharge 2; Part of your body splits off to help you as a minion. This minion does not count towards your max number of minions, has 5/1 H/W, and has +1 to grappling rolls. Any time this minion tries to help someone recover from helplessness, the roll is DC-1.

>>29290482
"Perhaps this is the time I needed to bond with Caw." Observer says, making sure Caw's nest is nice and comfortable for him and even scanning him again to check for hunger.

"Would you two like to assist me in creating a learning space for Caw in the lab?" Observer asks Wireframe and Blessings.

>>29290492
You blast all the nearby Renders and Hexagonals with fire, and three more approach you, with tongues of fire and spittle of metal slag hanging from their mouths.

>>29290507
You tear through many chunks of the Render's body, but it remains standing.

>>29290503
You fall into a bloody heap before you reach the facade as the Renders fall upon you, hacking at you with their many weapons. You start bleeding quite badly, and as you do, Hexagonals begin to approach.
>Flaming 0/4
>Bleeding for 2 Hits per turn until cured

>>29290523
>>29290503
>>29290501
>>29290492
As the Hexagonals' mist grows thick in the area, you oddly feel much stronger, as if anything could come to you with ease. And yet, an internal restraint starts to take over you, some feeling of intense resistance, as though that which you were best at had been forbidden, and something in your heart of hearts was forbidding you from doing it.

>Upper Limit is now in effect
>Gain +1 to all actions
>Actions which would have a +5 bonus or greater are locked and cannot be used

The mist only grows thicker, but the Renders seem unaffected by it as they draw nearer to Flaming and Amy...

>>29290513
The angels start leading you to the east, but you hear sounds of static coming from the north, and see a thin pillar of static extend into the sky in the distance.

>>29290516
"It's injured. I'll help," one angel intones, reaching toward Neither and Prisca. "Give her here."

>>29290525
Caw seems content, but he could always eat more. Be sure to monitor his weight!

"Well, we don't have much else to do while we wait for your friends to bend over backward for Mudi," Blessings says.
"Sure, as long as I don't have to do any heavy lifting. Or carrying. Or pulling," Wireframe says.
"So, any actual work?" Blessings asks.
"Yep!" Wireframe smiles.

>rolls will be done for combat next time
>Paused

>>29290577
>Huge: instant, recharge 4; Your sheer size makes knocking you down no small feat, as you can shrug off damage that would cripple most others. Use this skill whenever you would normally have become helpless. On success you remain standing at 1 hit.
[1d10]

>>29290591
you retain 1 Hit

>>29288708